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The severe rain storm that has wreaked havoc as it swept across the top of the North Island has turned deadly.
Lightning generated by thunderstorms struck a man on a farm near Dargaville, killing him instantly on Tuesday afternoon.
Even police were rocked by the ferocity of the forked lightning that struck such a cruel blow on the outskirts of Dargaville.
A 50-year-old man and the horse he was riding were killed. Dargaville police say seven people were in the party that was struck by lightning and five of them are in Whangarei Hospital. It is understood they were taken to hospital as a precaution and are not seriously injured.
"A bolt of lightning struck in the middle of this group, striking a male horse rider. It appears to have killed him and his horse instantly," says Sergeant Jonathon Tier of Dargaville police.
The recreational riders stood no chance against mother nature's fury, even with a paramedic among them.
"We did have a very experienced medical crew on hand so they were with him in about two to three minutes. Unfortunately he didn't survive," says Donna Austin, witness.
Tier says there were a number of medically-trained people in the hunt club who tried unsuccessfully to revive the man.
Even experts were surprised at the number of lightning strikes.
"The intensity of them up north was just amazing around the Dargaville area and the Hokianga Harbour," says Philip Duncan, weather forecaster.
"They were just amazing, there were hundreds of them every hour, hundreds of flashes were recorded every hour, so it certainly was an extreme event."
Hours earlier, tourist operators had tied up their boats and cancelled nearly all day trips out of the Bay of Islands. Ferry crossings between Paihia and Russell were also put on hold.
Some though had to venture out, including Steve Butler of Earl Grey Fishing Charters.
"Horrific conditions, yeah, not good for anyone's business
especially anyone to do with water activities," says Butler.
But as the Far North began to dry out, the big soak was moving
south, driving rain upping river levels and making going slow on
the roads.
Nightfall appeared at midday in central Auckland and strong gusts caused havoc in the suburbs with trees toppled, showing no mercy.
And the storm which showed no sign of ending it's relentless game was soon on its way to the Waikato, in Matamata flooding streets and shops in the central area of the town.
Also there were a number of minor road accidents as the heavy rain went headed off towards the Bay of Plenty.
Are you being affected by the storm? If so and you have
some video or images of how your region is being hit then let us
know.
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For up to date weather and warnings for your region check the ONE News Weather website
